The Director of Academic Success assists students in the pursuit of a successful law school career. The services offered include guidance on executive functioning and time management, creating study schedules and calendars, developing preparation and study habits and methods, honing organizational skills, and exam strategy, to name a few. While some information will be made available via workshops, students are invited to schedule one-on-one meetings with Director Cohen to discuss individualized plans.
Schedule a meeting with Dir. Cohen: https://calendly.com/lecohen-aii or lecohen@central.uh.edu.
How do I meet with my professor or tutor?
Studying law means taking in a large amount of information in a short time. Your professors will provide reading materials so you can prepare for class. During class you will experience lively discussions about the material and gain new information dealing with the understanding, analysis and application of that material. It can be challenging to determine what the most important aspects of the information are.
This is where professors and tutors can support your legal education. Any time you have questions about the subject matter, you can meet with your professor or tutor. Both professors and tutors hold office hours, which should be posted. Check your syllabus for professors’ office hours, and tutors will likely communicate office hours via email.
Should you need someone to “re-teach” a concept, your professor will be your resource, as tutors do not “teach”. If you would like help fleshing out your understanding of a concept, tutors are well equipped to help. Tutors have been selected by your professor for the purpose of supporting your understanding of the course. These are past students who excelled in their understanding of and ability to apply the materials learned in that course.
Tutors hold review sessions throughout the semester. Attending these will reinforce your learning as well as offer opportunities to fill in blanks on class notes. While attendance at review sessions is not required, it is highly recommended. This will allow you to connect with the tutors, determine which tutor most closely matches your learning style, and make you comfortable asking future questions. Tutors can also help you understand feedback you receive from professors.
You can approach either a professor or a tutor after class, but keep in mind that many students may do this as well. When you require more than a few minutes support, email your professor or tutor to set up an appointment. Utilize office hours. Ask for the help you need. Professors and tutors are here to support your legal education and help you reach your potential. Just ASK!
Meeting with your professors: PDF (Cougarnet Login Required)
Utilizing tutors: PDF (Cougarnet Login Required)
Class rank refers to your placement in your expected graduating class based on your GPA as compared to all students in that class. While every law student aspires to be in the “Top 10%” of their class, the reality is that 90% of students will not achieve this lofty goal. Yes, class rank matters, but it is not the final word on your future as a lawyer.
After your first semester, it can be challenging to climb to the “Top 10%”, but there is always room to move up. Keep working and striving to do your best in each class throughout law school. Your final GPA will also be an asset in your job search as will experience, clinic work, participation in organizations and much more.
“Big Law” is more likely to recruit you if you are in the “Top 10%”, but big law is not the path for all lawyers and there are many excellent employment opportunities for all UHLC graduates. Additionally, if “Big Law” is your dream, and you are part of the 90%, there are other ways to “get your foot in the door”. This is where networking, meeting, and getting to know people will support your job search. Some “Big Law” firms are also looking for the well rounded lawyer: one with emotional intelligence, social skills, practice skills (think moot court or mock trial), and even specialized skills backgrounds such as accounting, engineering, education, etc.
Many mid-size and smaller firms take a more holistic approach to hiring. Remember, the 90% get jobs, too, because at the end of your law school experience you will graduate with your JD and be a lawyer. Once you pass the Bar Exam you will be allowed to practice law. The Career Development Office at UHLC works to ensure a near 100% employment rate for our graduates. Please reach out to them! https://law.uh.edu/career/
Legal Methods is a required, supplemental, pass/fail course for which you will earn one credit hour for completion if you vest into the course. UHLC evaluates 1L performance after the first semester to identify those needing a bit more support in their legal education. Legal Methods is an opportunity for select students to meet face-to-face with dedicated professors, daily at the Law Center, during the week prior to the spring and fall semesters. The goal of this instructional format is to empower the student with additional skills to boost future success in their legal education.
Legal Methods provides students with hands on guidance and feedback on law school skill development. These may include, but are not limited to case briefing, study techniques, ways to improve your legal analysis and writing skills, and take a deep dive into exam writing techniques to maximize performance on final exams as well as in bar preparation. The small group structure of Legal Methods allows for more personalized attention in a setting conducive to learning and understanding.
Legal Methods will not count against your pass/fail election limit.
Legal Analysis and Writing is a required, supplemental, pass/fail course for which you will earn three credit hours for successful completion. The class provides an invaluable opportunity for select students to work closely with dedicated professors during their last semester of law school, as a “jump start” to their intensive bar preparation. While the majority of seats in LAW are filled with mandatory students, each semester there are a few seats available for open enrollment which fill up quickly. This may be one of the most sought after 3L courses.
LAW meets twice a week, in person, at the Law Center, with the possibility of a remote option in some semesters. The goal of the small group instructional format is to empower the student with additional skills to boost their likelihood of a successful outcome on the Bar Exam in a supportive, individualized, student focused setting. LAW concentrates on developing the skills necessary to succeed on each section of the Bar Exam. The course will provide instruction, as well as opportunities to practice and hone the skills taught, so that students will be adequately prepared to perform each task required on both days of the Exam. Legal Analysis and Writing will familiarize students with the structure of the Bar Exam, offer bar exam study, preparation and test-taking strategies, and provide face-to-face and written performance feedback through a series of simulation exercises.
The LAW course will not count against your pass/fail election limit.
NOTE: This class does not replace traditional, private bar preparation companies (i.e. Barbri, Themis, or Kaplan). Rather, it is employed in conjunction with those programs.
